Sydney, June 18 (IANS/EFE): Australian researchers have designed a personal device, dubbed Shark Shield, for surfers and divers that will prevent over 90 percent of shark encounters, media reported on Thursday.

The equipment, created by the University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute, emits a strong electronic field that interferes with the shark's electroreceptive system, made up of a network of sensors on the shark's head, the Australian edition of The Guardian daily reported.

To test the effectiveness of the device, the researchers used two baited test rigs, one fitted with the device and the other without it, to gauge the reaction of reef sharks off the coast of Western Australia, and the feared great white sharks found off the coasts of South Africa.

During the experiment, the sharks touched and took the bait from the rig that did not have the deterrent device, while only 10 percent of the sharks approached the other rig that had the device.